Flying to Phnom Penh, Cambodia was the perfect holiday for us.
I had the best time exploring the city ~ I really enjoyed visiting the National Museum of Cambodia, and the Royal Palace. The Silver Pagoda was spectacular, and the architecture throughout the capital city is so stunning.
During our time away, I realised I’ve been a bit spoiled in Chiang Mai with the weather ~ one thing that was stood out to me was how much more humid Phnom Penh is compared to Chiang Mai currently. It was more like Koh Lanta, southern Thailand on-the-beach level of humidity, or Penang Island in Malaysia.
It also reminded me that I still haven’t written about all the tips and tricks I’ve picked up for dressing in vintage style while in the tropics from living here for the last two years. Some of this also applies for general travel, but obviously if you are heading to cooler climates layering with warmer clothing will be a must. Either way, here are my tips ~ please enjoy!
~ Tips for dressing Vintage Style while Traveling in the Tropics ~
- Sundresses are your best friend. It might be an obvious place to start, but a light 1950’s style sundress will get you through hot weather and allow your legs to keep cool. Alternatively, a peasant blouse with a full skirt, or a 1940’s shirtwaist dress are great options as well.
- Light clothing that isn’t confining is the goal, but remember that a vintage silhouette from the 1940’s and 1950’s always had the natural waist {just above the belly button} defined.
- A belt will help to define your waist, and you can also try adding a sash, or knotted fabric belt for a less structure, but still accentuating a nipped in waist. If it’s super hot, a skinny belt is a good way to reduce the heat factor.
- Skip foundation garments ~ seriously, you have too ~ and go for a vintage style brassiere to keep the correct shape underneath. What Katie Did or Rago have amazing reproduction vintage styles, but if you’re a babe on a budget, go to Target or Kmart and skip the pretty bras for the wireless “granny” bras. Look for a ‘lift and separate’ shape give you just the silhouette you need without having to spend too much. If you’re still not sure what style you are looking for research old vintage lingerie ads to find out. From the 1930's through to the 1960's brassiere structure didn't change that drastically unless you are specifically looking for a bullet-bra, and the right style will cover all of those decades.
- Cover up! The sun isn’t as harsh in the tropics as it is in Australia, but you will still get burnt. Especially if you are outside sightseeing all day. Borrow a tip from sun-safe Asian travellers and carry a light foldable umbrella. It really will save your skin and keep you cooler while you walk around. It’s also more convenient than a big hat to tuck away and get out of photos when you want to snap a picture.
- It goes without saying, but invest in a really good sunscreen. My favourite out of all the sunscreens I’ve tried is Avène Sunscreen Emulsion SPF 50, which has a matte finish and goes beautifully under makeup, even through a day’s wear of “glistening”.
- Open sandals are a popular vintage vacation style, as well as being comfortable for walking in, but watch out for the tops of your feet getting burnt. Apply sunscreen before going out for the day. Go for styles that strap on so you don’t have to worry about them flopping loose. This will help if you find yourself walking on less than great pavement; or short rocky trails.
- Carry a backpack. If you are traveling around a lot, carrying a purse isn’t always safe if it’s over your shoulder, and a large shoulder bag can hurt your neck after a long time. Backpacks balance the load and if you are looking for the perfect vintage style backpack – Anello do beautiful backpacks in different colours and sizes – my favourite is found here and here.
- Be prepared to have your hair up continuously. Even if your hair isn’t curly like mine, and can cope with the humidity, it will just be too hot and add extra sweat to have it down on the back of your neck if you are outside for any length of time. If you are inside, most places are airconditioned in the cities, so you can do your normal ‘dos.
- For vintage style updos – poodles, ponytails, Gibson rolls and braids are great for getting your hair out of your face and off your neck. I love to add hair flowers, or a vintage nylon scarf for a cheerful holiday touch!
- Makeup can be tricky ~ a powder foundation will stay on longer through the sweat, pop it in your bag for touch ups. Try to let your face dry naturally before touching up, if you touch your face while it’s damp you will remove your base. Also, if you apply powder over the top of a damp face, it will get cakey. Wait if you can until it’s dry and then touch up.
- For eye makeup ~ waterproof mascara is a must, and if you want to wear eyeshadow you will need a primer to help it stay. Try to set your brows with eyebrow powder if you use a pencil or pomade to fill them in, as that will help to prevent them sweating off. I haven’t found an eyeliner that will stay on for a cats eye flick, and so going for a 40’s makeup look will work better for the heat.
- A good makeup setting spray is invaluable for all day glamour, so try out Urban Decay All Nighter Setting Spray, or L'Oréal Paris Infallible Fixing Mist for a budget-friendly option that works brilliantly.
- If you are wearing red lipstick and drinking a lot {as you need to do to stay hydrated in the heat}, carrying a reusable straw will be handy to keep the lipstick off your face. It’s also great for the environment so that’s an added bonus. Alternatively, look for a reusable drink bottle that comes with a narrow drinking spout, or an attached straw.
- Carry a hand fan. Besides looking lovely and elegant, a hand fan can be your best friend besides your water bottle if you are stuck in a stuffy hot spot!
- Try to avoid wearing true vintage if you can. You will start sweating as soon as you walk out the door, it’s like walking into a wall of damp heat, or a wet oven. My experience has been that you can only wear a garment once and then it will need washing to remove sweat stains. True vintage won’t hold up to continuous repeated washing, will fade from the sunlight faster, and could go permanently yellow. I’ve a couple of reproduction dresses go yellow even though I wash them after wearing, simply because of the constant sweat contact. The heat seems to set the yellowing into the fabric, so it’s really difficult to remove. If you think your true vintage will stand up to the harsh wear, then by all means go ahead, but personally I think it’s better to wear repro and save your vintage.
- For the voluptuous ladies, some anti-chaffing precautions should be considered. I really love Dove’s Men + Care Extra Fresh Deodorant stick. I’ve tried other antiperspirants, but this is the first one that’s really worked for me and stopped thigh chaffing. My top tip for this is to go for one that has moisturizing properties, as well as being in stick form. Other types of antiperspirant won’t work, and can make the chaffing worse. I don’t know why, but men’s deodorant seems to work better for me than ladies, but you may need to shop around to find the one that suits you best.
- Alternatively, you can wear bike shorts or lingerie shorts under your skirts to stop the rubbing, but beware as these can make the situation worse if they stop at the wrong spot on your legs {like the point of contact between your thighs}, or end up rolling up. Plus, the extra layer that will add to heat factor so that’s something to consider.
- For style inspiration, look for vintage vacation outfits and advertisements, and go super light and relaxed. Linen and cotton are fantastic fabrics if you can find them, but you can’t beat a seersucker for being light and comfortable whilst remaining crinkle free throughout the day’s adventures.
- Brooches and fun earrings are two of my favourite accessories to travel with. One, they are small and easy to pack. Two, they don’t add any extra layers to your skin as necklaces and bangles can do.
- A pashmina or light cardigan will come in handy, as sometimes it is actually a little on the cool side if you are in air conditioning.
- When traveling, jersey knit dresses are amazing for a pyjama level of comfort whilst looking put together. Another favourite trick for flying is to bring wipes in your carry on for refreshing and cleaning ~ your face, body or your seat tray. And pop on a sheet face mask for overnight flights for moist, fresh looking skin when you walk off after that 14 hour flight.
- A top tip for taking photos in all these exotic locations ~ find your favourite poses in the mirror and remember them! Once you have one or three poses down, you can be sure to take good photos.
- Glamourous vintage style sunglasses are perfect for bright sunny days, so you don’t have to worry about squinting in the light. Cateye shapes look really good with 1950’s sundresses as they were the fashionable style for that era.
I hope you find these tips helpful ~ and if you have any tips or tricks for traveling yourself, let us know in a comment! Traveling is one of my favourite things to do, and I’m firmly convinced you don’t need to sacrifice personal style to do so, unless you wish to. Otherwise, go right ahead and look as fabulous as all those fascinating sights you are admiring!
xox,
bonita
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